Lamp-socket and switch device.



C. G. BURTON.

LAMP SOCKET AND SWITCH DEVICE.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 7, 1911.

ig., Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

um J IIIIIIU` @fillings el v.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

CHARLES G. BURTON, OF PERU, INDIANA.A

LAMP-SOCKET AND SWITCH DEVICE.

Application filed August 7, 1911. Serial No. 642,586.

'To all wit-om, t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES G. BURTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peru, in the county of Miami and State of Indiana, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Lamp-Sockets `and SwitchDevices, of which'the following is a specilication, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved form of electriclamp socket which shall contain a circuit-controlling switch and shallbe particularly adapted to serveA the purpose of a portable shop lam Itpconsists of the features and elements described and shown in thedrawings as indicated in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an eleva-i tion partly in section, of asocket embodying this invention, section being taken as indicated atline 1-1 on Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a partly sectional view taken as`indicated at line 2-2 on'Fig. 1.` Fig. 3 isa bottom plan view of theupper porcelain element, A. Fig. 4 is a section at line 4-4 on Fig. 1showing the element, B, and the switch devices mounted thereon. Fig. 5.is a top vplan view of the porcelainelement, B, with metallic partsremoved. Fig. 6 is a top p lan View of the element, A, part-ly 1nsection.

' Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View of the metal cap for the element, A. Fig.8 is a detail perspective view of one of the switch devicesv carried bythe element, B. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective View of the contactpiece, E, and its spindle, E3. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the socketand lamp shown in Fig. 1. Briefly, the deviceA shown in the drawingsconsists of two principal parts, namely, a terminal piece, A, to whichthe lead wires,

A1, are secured, and a lamp-bearing element, B, these parts, A and B,being provided with mutually engageable 'electric contact devices, andalso with mutually engaging actuating devices therefor, operable by therelative movement of the two parts. Comparison of Figs. 1 and 3 showsthat the element, A, comprises a cylindrical porcelain shell centrallyapertured to admit lead wires, A1,' which are secured in a familiarmanner each to one of the contact pieces, A2, mounted upon the inner topwall of the shell, A. These contact pieces, A2, are formed and arrangedas dia-metrically opposite segments of the same circle, this cir-Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan.7,1913.

cle being described about the axis of the shell, A. It may be understoodthat the middle portion of the piece, A2, is upraised above the endportions so that its surface will be above the head of the bindingscrew, A", which is thus prevented from interfering with the operationof any circuit-closing device intended to contact with the upraisedsurface of the terminal. The shell, A, is further provided with tw'o.pairs of diametrically disposed teeth, A, preferably formed in ltheporcelain and extending downwardlytoward the element, B, asseen in Fig.1; these teeth constitute the actuating means for the circuit-closingdevices carried by the element, B, and hereinafter described.

The element, B, comprises a circular porcelainv block mounted co-aXiallywith the shell, A, and having secured to its under side the familiarform of metallic lcontact shell, C, screw-threaded to hold the threadedbase, D, of an ordinary incandescent lamp. The upper face of the block,B, carries a pair of circuit-closing-devices, E, which differ in formonly so far as is necessary to aadapt one of them to be electricallyconnected with' the metallic shell, C, by means of its securing screw,C1, while the other is insimilar communication with the central contactblock, F, through its securing screw, F1. The operatingl parts of thedevices, E, are exactly similar and -only one of them will be referredto in the following description.

`The movingparts are mounted upon a base comprising a tail piece, E1,which serves as an electrical conductor, and the upstanding brackets,E2, apertured to receive a spindle, E3. Between the brackets, E2, theVspindle, E3, carries rigidly a four-toothed pinion, E4, while upon theprojecting end' of the spindle, E3, there is mounted a cir-`cuit-closing tumbler, E5. The tumbler, E5,"

is carried loose on the spindle, E3, but is engaged for rotationtherewith by a cross pin, E, projecting from the spindle, E, in atransverse notch, E7, in the tumbler, E". This arrangement which isillustrated in detail in Fig. 9 permits a limited amount of play or lostmotion between the tumbler and its spindle, and assists the tumbler tomake a quick break in the circuit under the -inluence of the spring, EB,which owing to the approximately rectangular shape lof the tumbler,tends to throw the latter around,

ahead of its actuating spindle, when the latter has rotated the tumblerfar enough to release its ifiat end from the retaining pressure of thespring, E2. The spring, E8, is preferably made separate from the base ofthe device and is retained in place thereon by a screw, E9. The Contactdevices, E, are arranged diametrically opposite upon the upper side ofthe block, B, with their pinions, E4, equi-distant from the axis of theblock. As may be seen from Fig. 5, the surface of the block, B, isprovided with recesses in which the faces and springs of thecircuit-closing devices, E, are lodged, so as to be secured againstrotation or displacenient upon the block, B.

AA shade or guard, G, preferably made of metal, and shown in thedrawings as having the shape of a bell, is clamped to the element, B, bya securing sleeve, H, of porcelain, threaded to engage exteriorly themetal shell, C, so as to screw on to the latter as a nut and engage thein-'turned iiange, G1, of the guard, G. This flange, G1, seats aroundthe reduced portion, B1, of the block, and against the shoulder, B2,which is provided with a series of lugs, B8, adapted to engage notches,G2, in the ange, G1, so as to render the guard, G, practically rigidwith the block, B, for rotating it.

Since the flange, G1, is rolled in the guard, G, it results in theformation of a peripheral groove, G3, which by engagement with a flange,J1, of the metallic jacket, J, serves to connect the parts, A and B, andjournal them, oneupon the other for relative rotation. This jacket, J,is made in two halves so as to be easily and disengageably applied tothe element, A, and its rigidity with said element is insured by ahexagonal boss, A8, engaging the hexagonal aperture, J2. The

4two halves of the shell, J, are connected together by screws, J 3,engaging lugs, J4, which project from the shell members, and these lugsand screws by occupying recesses, A7, in the cylindrical wall of theshell, A, further insure the simultaneous movement of the shell and itsmetal jacket. A

Y With the parts constructed and arranged as above described, it will beseen that a quarter turn of the guard, G, with respect to the jacket, J,will cause each of the pinions, E4, to be rotated a quarter turn,throwing their respective contact tumblers, E, out of the engagementwith thev contacts, A2, which is illustrated in Figs. land 2. If theparts are left stationary after the com? pletion of this half turn. itwill be seen that the contact tumblers, E", being angularly removed fromthe vicinity of thel contacts, A2, both sides of the circuit will beeffectively broken and no current can p'ass through the lamp. Since themere relative rotation of the parts, A and B, serves to remove theirrespective contact elements from each other, the additional rotation ofthe tumblers, E5, upon their spindles, E3, would seem superuous, but thepurpose of this movement is to insure a quick breaky ing of the circuit,and is necessary to the safe operation of the device. Furthermore, byemploying the relative rotation of the two portions of the shell foroperating the switch mechanism, a lamp socket is prof duced whichpresents a smooth and regular exterior, with no projecting parts whichmight be injured in rough usage, such as it might undergo in shop use.Another quart-er turn of the guard, G, with respect to the shell, J,will effect the engagement of each of the pinions, E4, by one of theteeth, A, resulting in sufficient rotation of the spindles, E3, to bringthe contact tumblers, E, again into contact with the terminal pieces,A2, permitting the current to again fiow through the lamp.

1. A lamp socket comprising two members of insulating material, aterminal piece for one of the lead wires, and a corresponding contactdevice mounted, respectively, on vthe proximate faces of the twomembers, a metallic shell secured to one member. for rotation therewithand provided with an annular flange, a metallic shell secured to theother member for rotation therewith, having an annular groove adapted toreceive the liange of the first. mentioned shell for guiding therotation of said proximate faces past each other for causing engagementand disengagement of the terminal piece and contact device, a pair oflamp contacts on one member, one of which is electrically connected withthe contact device thereon, and means for eletrically connecting theother lamp contact with the other lead wire.

2. A lamp socket comprising two members of insulating material, aterminal piece for one of the lead wires, and a correspondingv contactdevice mounted, respectively, on the proximate faces of the two members,an annular metallic flange Secured to one member for rotation therewith,the other member being provided with an annular metallically linedgroove adapted to receive said flange for connecting the two memberstogether and permitting the rotation of their proximate faces past eachother for causing engagement and disengagement of the terminal piece andcontact device, a pair of lamp contacts lon one member,` one of which iselectrically connected with the contact device thereon.

3. A lamp socket comprising two members of insulating material, aterminal piece for one of the lead wires, and la corresponding contactdevice mounted, respectively, on the proximate faces of the two members,an annular metallic iange secured to vone member for'rotation therewith,the other member being provided with an annular groove adapted toreceive the said fiange, a metallic lining for said groove secured tothe member for rotation therewith, said metallic lining being extendedin the form of a guard or shade for the lamp, a pair of lalnp contactson the shade-carrying member one of which contacts is electricallyconnected with the switch device thereon, and means for electricallyconnecting the other lamp Contact with the other lead wire.

4. A lalnp socket comprising two members, contract devices on the twomembers, respectively, positioned for registration and mutual engagementduring the relative rotation of the members, the contact devices of onemember being adapted for connection with the circuit lead wires,lamp-holding means on the other member electrically connected with thesaid contact devices thereof, the lamp-holding member being providedwith an annular groove and a metallic lining therefor, and a metallicshell for the other member having -an annular flange adapted to engagesaid groove for guiding the relativev rotation of the members, saidshell comprising two parts separably for releasing the groove of the onemember from the flange' of the shell.

5. A lamp socket comprising two parts and means connecting them`together adapted to permit their relative rotation in either direction,contact devices on the two members, respectively, adapted for mutualengagement and abruptdisengagement during such relative rotation of themembers in either direction, a pair of lamp contacts on one member, oneof which is electrlcallyA connected to the contact device thereon, meansfor attaching one of the circuit lead wires to the other contact device,and means connecting the other lamp contact with the other lead wire.

6. A lamp socket comprising two parts and means connecting them togetherfor relative rotation, a screw-threaded socket on one member adapted toreceive a lamp base and comprising a pair of lamp contacts, a terminalpiece for one of the circuit lead wires on the other member, a contactdevice on the lamp-holding member adapted to engage the lead wireterminal piece and op` lead wires and a corresponding contact devicemounted, respectively, on the proximate faces of the two members, meansconnecting said two members together and adapted to permit the rotationof said proximate faces past each other for causing engagement anddisengagement of the terminal block and contact device, a lamp guardrigidly secured to ond member for rotation therewith, a pair of lampcontacts on said member one of which is electrically connected with thecontact device thereon, and means for electrically connecting the otherlamp contact with the other lead wire. l p

9. A lamp socket comprising two members, a terminal piece for ,one ofthe circuit lead wires and a corresponding contact device mounted,respectively, on the proximate faces of the two members, meansconnecting said two members together and adapted to permit the rotationof said proximate faces past each other for causing engagement anddisengagement of the terminal piece and contact device, a lamp guardrigidly secured to one member for rotation therewith, a pair of lampcontacts on said member one of which is electrically connected with thecontact device thereon, means for electrically connecting the other lampcontact `with the other lead wire and a shell for the other memberdisengageably secured thereto for rotation therewith.

t, 10. Av lamp socket comprising two members, a terminal piece for oneof the circuit lead wires and an interrupted crown gear on one of saidmembers, a pair of lamp contacts on the' other member and a rotatablecontact tumbler mounted on said member and electrically connected withone of said contacts, means for electrically connecting the other lampcontact with `the other lead wire, a pinion operatively connected withthe tumbler for rotation therewith, and

means connecting the two members together and adapted to permit theirrelative rotation, the pinion on the one member being po sitioned tomesh with the interrupted gear on the other member during such rotation.

11. A lamp socket comprising two members, terminal pieces for thecircuit lead wires diametrically disposed on one member with respect tothe axis thereof, said member being provided with an interrupted crowngear concentric with said axis and 5. through said lamp-engaging meanswith the i composed of two pairs of teeth diametrically gether forrelative rotation about their common axis, the contact tumblers andtheir pinions being positioned on one member to reg- I ister,respectively, with the terminal pieces and gear teeth on the othermember during such relative rotation. Intestimony whereof I havehereunto set Peru Indiana this 3d day of CHAS.. G. BURTON.

disposed upon the member, lamp-engaging means and a pair of contactdevices on the other member adapted to communicate respect-ive terminalsof the lamp therein, said Contact devices each comprising a rotatablymounted Contact tumbler and a ourmy hand at toothed pinion operativelysecured thereto, i August 1911. said Contact devices being diametricallydisposed with respect to the axis of the member upon which they aremounted, and means (1o-axially `connecting the two members tolVitnessesCRETA FLETCHER, KURT A. NEUPERT.

